Proposed Charter changes get support

Martin B. Cassidy

Updated
10:30 pm EDT, Tuesday, June 19, 2012

STAMFORD -- Charter revisions to create a single fire department will improve the use of manpower and the safety of residents, a representative for unionized Stamford firefighters told members of the Board of Representatives committee overseeing the process Tuesday night.

Another change to revise the role of the city's Fire Commission to give it authority over the new larger department and hiring of career personnel were also supported by the union, Paul Newman, the representative, said.

Unionized firefighters strongly opposed last year's proposal by Mayor Michael Pavia to reorganize the city fire service, consolidating four of the city's five volunteer fire departments into two, as well as hiring 49 new firefighters to help man the departments.

"It would also be an avenue for volunteers to have their concerns heard," Newman told committee members.

Residents packed the fourth-floor legislative chambers at the Stamford Government Center for a public hearing Tuesday night in which speakers offered their opinions on some of the more prominent proposals among 70 city Charter revisions.

After a yearlong process, the Charter Revision Committee is considering which proposals it will recommend to the full Board of Representatives for inclusion on the ballot in November.

JoAnn Carriero, a Stamford native and commercial landlord in Springdale, asked the committee to reject a proposal to reduce the size of the Board of Representatives from two to one representative per district, reducing the body from 40 to 20 members overall.

Carriero said a smaller body would result in difficulty in addressing residents' needs. She said it takes significant effort to get the attention of legislators to assist her with questions and concerns her tenants have about city regulations.

"I say absolutely not," Carriero said. "With two people, it is already hard to get in touch, and sometimes I have to go outside my district to reach someone."

The authority, he said, should be an independent body with an executive director and a board selected to have specific knowledge to protect the city's water quality.

"There has been a lack of direction or accountability for too long," Flynn said. "At the end of this process, or some other process, I would like to see there be sound and capable leadership from an executive director and to change the board to a fiduciary board that had technical abilities."

Flynn also said the proposed revisions didn't sufficiently address how to control the city's growing pension obligations.

With wages and benefits comprising 80 percent of the city budget, charter amendments should include giving the Board of Finance involvement in reviewing collective bargaining agreements before their approval.

Flynn said in the past five years, post-retirement medical costs have grown from $30 million to $60 million, and will continue to swell if steps aren't taken to control the growth of the costs.

"They essentially review the collective bargaining agreements after the fact and provide an advisory opinion," Flynn said. "... They should be authorized to do an appraisal of the financial significance of collective bargaining agreements."

The Board of Representatives is expected to take a preliminary vote Monday on the committee's final list of proposed charter revisions, according to Mary Fedeli, co-chairwoman of the committee.

After a final review of the planned alterations by the Charter Revision Commission, the full board will take a final vote on charter changes July 9.

Additional information on possible Charter changes can be found at stamfordcharterrevisions.org.